The Sporting News predicts the American League East in 2012. See below for the publication's rankings and All-Division team:

PROJECTED ORDER OF FINISH

1. NEW YORK YANKEES

What must go right: A starter not named CC Sabathia has to step up. Sabathia pitched 47 more innings than any other Yankees starter last season, and his 3.00 ERA was seven-tenths of a run lower. G.M. Brian Cashman has delivered reinforcements. Now they must deliver results.

What could go wrong: The left side of the infield isn’t getting any younger. Derek Jeter’s stellar second half quieted his critics, but he is 37 and his calf problems prove his legs aren’t what they once were. Alex Rodriguez, who will turn 37 in July, is trying to avoid the disabled list for the first time in five years.

2. BOSTON RED SOX

What must go right: Their All-Stars must hit and pitch like All-Stars all season. The Red Sox had All-Star players at first base, center field, third base, DH and in the rotation last season, and all lived up to their reputations. Until September.

What could go wrong: Converted reliever Daniel Bard might struggle as a starter, new closer Andrew Bailey and his tender right arm might not take to the A.L. East, and the back of the rotation might remain unsettled. For the majors’ highest-scoring team in 2011, success in 2012 depends on the pitching.

3. TAMPA BAY RAYS

What must go right: The home-grown rotation must lead them. With the 1-2 punch of All-Stars James Shields and David Price, the talent is there. The rotation led the AL with a 3.53 ERA last season and could be even better with the promotion of lefthander Matt Moore, the game’s top pitching prospect.

What could go wrong: The key newcomers, first baseman Carlos Pena and DH Luke Scott, might not prove to be upgrades over Casey Kotchman and Johnny Damon. Pena and Scott will strike out a ton, but if they combine for 50-plus homers, the Rays can live with the K’s.

4. TORONTO BLUE JAYS

What must go right: Third baseman Brett Lawrie needs to play for a full season like he did in his 2011 call-up (.293-9-25 in 43 games), and first baseman Adam Lind has to provide enough protection to prevent Jose Bautista from being walked 125 times. The Blue Jays can’t compete in this division with only one stud slugger.

What could go wrong: The rotation must improve, but there’s little reason to believe it will. Blue Jays starters finished 25th in the majors with a 4.55 ERA last season and didn’t add any newcomers. No. 2 starter Brandon Morrow must do better than the 4.72 ERA he posted in 2011.

5. BALTIMORE ORIOLES

What must go right: Their starters need to prove they can hang with the big-armed staffs in the division. That’s a tall order considering the Orioles traded their only established starter, Jeremy Guthrie, and their top two youngsters, Brian Matusz and Zach Britton, are coming off difficult seasons. Britton (shoulder) will begin the season on the disabled list.

What could go wrong: The decision not to sign a slugger at DH could backfire. Baltimore relies on power, but instead of bringing in a proven veteran DH, it signed journeyman Wilson Betemit. He is a career .269 hitter and had only eight homers in an injury-marred 2011.

DIVISION STRENGTH: FIRST

It’s all about the power. Of the top five teams in home runs last season, four (Yankees, Red Sox, Orioles, Blue Jays) play in the AL East. The same four teams ranked in the top 10 in slugging percentage (the Rays were 13th.) Check the individual power, too: Of the 24 players who hit at least 30 homers in 2011, seven reside in the AL East this season. No other division boasts more than four. Of the 10 players with a slugging percentage of at least .550 in 2011, four play in the AL East. No other division has more than two.

ALL-DIVISION TEAM

LINEUP

C: Matt Wieters, Orioles

1B: Adrian Gonzalez, Red Sox

2B: Robinson Cano, Yankees

SS: Derek Jeter, Yankees

3B: Evan Longoria, Rays

LF: Brett Gardner, Yankees

CF: Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox

RF: Jose Bautista, Blue Jays

DH: David Ortiz, Red Sox

ROTATION

LHP CC Sabathia, Yankees

RHP James Shields, Rays

RHP Josh Beckett, Red Sox

LHP Ricky Romero, Blue Jays

LHP David Price, Rays

CLOSER

Mariano Rivera, Yankees

MANAGER

Joe Maddon, Rays

AL EAST X-FACTOR

New Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine will publicly rip his own players when needed. Will they respond or rebel? Valentine also could turn around righthander Daisuke Matsuzaka, who could return from Tommy John surgery before midseason. Notably more at ease under Valentine’s direction, Matsuzaka already has regained his 95-mph fastball.